The Charlotte Bobcats, in preparation for the 2010-11 season, will continue their annual trend of spreading preseason contests around the Carolinas with one game in Fayetteville, N.C., versus Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder and a second game in Columbia, S.C., against Ben Wallace and the Detroit Pistons.

Following the Bobcats week-long training camp in Wilmington, N.C., the eight-game preseason slate begins on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Cleveland. The schedule also includes games against New Orleans and Atlanta at Time Warner Cable Arena, as well as road exhibitions versus Orlando, Milwaukee and Miami. The Bobcats preseason matchup against the new-look Heat will be televised live on Fox Sports Carolinas.

When the Bobcats tip off on Oct. 6 in Fayetteville against the Thunder, it will mark the team’s second time playing at Crown Coliseum. The Oct. 16 contest versus the Pistons will represent the Bobcats third preseason game in the state of South Carolina and second in Columbia’s Colonial Life Arena on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

“We’ve always emphasized making this the Carolinas’ NBA team by taking training camp and preseason games to markets throughout North and South Carolina,” said Bobcats Sports & Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer Fred Whitfield. “That emphasis is even stronger today given our new owner’s Carolina roots, and we look forward to spending time with our fans in Wilmington, Fayetteville and Columbia this fall.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Bobcats will host the 7th annual Cool School Field Trip, presented by Jordan Brand, with an 11:00 am tipoff against the Hornets.